How to Repair Plastic With Glue
Few things are more annoying than breaking something made of plastic. With patience, glue and a little effort, just about any broken plastic item can be salvaged. Plastic utensils, toys and game pieces can usually be saved with superglue, while other projects may require specialized cements or epoxies.
Things You'll Need
- Glue for plastic (Gorilla Glue, Krazy Glue or Super Glue)
- Clamps
- Clothespins
- Rubber bands
- Heavy books
Instructions
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1
Choose the appropriate glue for your project. For small indoor projects, use most brands of superglue. For outdoor projects, use a waterproof glue. For major repairs that require a durable bond, use an epoxy.
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2
Carefully clean dirt and grime from each piece. Dirt interferes with the glue's ability to form a proper bond.
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3
Position the pieces until they line up perfectly along the break.
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4
Spread the glue on the broken edge of only one of the pieces. Let it sit a few minutes until it gets tacky.
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5
Press the two pieces together. Be certain that the broken edges are lined up perfectly.
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6
Wipe away any excess glue that oozed out when the pieces were pressed together.
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7
Hold the pieces together with metal clamps. For smaller pieces, use clothespins or rubber bands. If you are binding the pieces with rubber bands, position the bands so that they are running perpendicular to the break. If the break is vertical, the rubber bands should run horizontally. You may also hold two flat pieces together by laying them under two or three large books.
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8
Allow the glue to dry for 24 hours.
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